Police work the scene where two HPD officers discharged their weapons at a vehicle with four people inside that drove at the officers. No one was hurt and three escaped. (Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle)

Senties said officers D. Murillo and P. Wyssbrod were off-duty and in uniform working an extra job as security outside a nearby bar when they noticed a gray 2006 Dodger Charger without headlights driving slowly in the neighborhood.

Aware that several car burglaries had occurred in the area recently, the officers walked to the car and stopped it, Senties said. They spoke with the two men inside it. Then they released the men, who drove away.

About two hours later, the officers spotted the same car in the area, again driving slowly, Senties said. The officers walked to the car. This time, four men were inside. One of the officers shined his flashlight into the windshield at the driver, who looked up at the officer. Senties said the officer saw the driver had a pistol in his right hand. The man raised his hand and placed the gun on the dashboard.

Then the driver gunned the engine and drove toward the officer.

In fear of his safety, the officer opened fire at the car as he ran away, Senties said. The other officer, fearing for his partner's safety, also fired at the car. The bullets hit the vehicle.

The car sped away north on Shepherd.

Senties said other officers spotted the car at 1613 Shepherd a short time later. The driver stopped and the four men jumped out and ran away. One of the men was captured quickly with the help of a K-9. The others so far have eluded police.

The man is custody was treated for a minor dog bite. No description of the other men was available.

Senties said investigators were searching the car and it was unclear whether a gun had been found.